So you are lucky enough to have the new Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. You have the best product to hit the home gym market in years, what do you plan to do with them? No tool, no matter how effective, will ever work unless it is used. The effectiveness of any tool also depends on how that tool is used. You made a well informed decision with knowing the best dumbbell set to buy, now its time to learn the proper way to use your tool to give you the best results. You have the best tool, learn to use it.

Look online or talk to a trainer you trust to find a basic routine. Starting 3 days a week for the first couple weeks is a good idea to build a solid foundation and to listen to your body. You will have plenty of time to get fancy and to hit it hard, but now is not the time. When starting off it is important to not overdo workouts and to monitor how your body reacts. Its is also a good time to begin planning out routines, plan changes for down the road, and to sit down and start thinking serious about what you are feeding your body. A basic 3 day a week training regiment should be broke down into 2 major muscle groups a day, at least 3 exercises per muscle group, and 3 sets per exercise. Nothing ground breaking, nothing back breaking either.

Pick the pace up 2-3 weeks into it. The increase in weight, intensity, sets, and reps will be the first shock for your muscles. After 2 weeks of increased effort reverse the order that you normally do your routine in. The important thing to understand in all of this is that you are not going to be as successful if you just do the same thing for 8 months. In fact you will probably quit frustrated unless you learn to build up then change. There are more exercises out there than you can do in a day, do your research and have fun with it.

Your success will be directly linked to your diet . So many take dieting as an insurmountable task. Don’t sweat all the hype of the 30 diets that you see every day, just think and eat smart. This is not about measuring out every morsel of food you eat to match what last years Mr. Olympia winner ate, its about giving your body what it needs to train, grow, recover, and feel better. Your Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells will not grill your chicken and fish for you, but you will feel better and get better, healthier, results if you make an effort to give your body what it needs. Find a basic online diet suitable for weight training that includes fresh foods, and gain a determination to learn more as you continue to train.

Make goals. Results are relative but achieving a goal is an accomplishment. Without goals success will never have a proper set of circumstances that could ever be achieved. Think long term when it comes to training. Any activity is better than none. A sensible approach to training, diet, and growth matched up with the ease of the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells will provide a powerful combination. The proper use of these tools will take more than strength, it will take a mindset. Slow growth, proper diet, and planned change in your routine will allow these sought after tools to do the job.

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I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. Ever since I first seen these, I thought they were the the coolest thing in the history of fitness equipment. So I thought it was time to try them out.

The product is very impressive. You get 15 sets of dumbbells from 5lbs-52.5lbs (2.5 increments until 25 and then 5 lbs until 50) in two pairs of dumbbells. They way they work is you simply turn a dial to the amount of weight you want on all four sides and away you go!

Pros of the Bowflex SelectTech

-This set is the ultimate space saver. With only two pairs of dumbbells you don’t have to dedicate a whole room to a weight set. You can even take them with you to the cottage or to a friends place for a workout.

-They look really cool! Especially with the stand, that is sold separately for about $150.

-They are made for Bowflex by Nautilus, which is a reputable fitness equipment supplier.

-A cool feature is that you can have offset weight selection. You can do curls or overhead extensions with one side heavier than the other, for an extra challenge. They advertise this as a unique feature but people have been doing this with weight plates for ages. However, it’s still an advantage over fixed free weights and a much easier transition than changing weight plates.

-A lot of people say that they are expensive. They are not really and that’s why I have this point as a pro. A set of 15 good quality dumbbells would cost $775. The Bowflex SelectTech are between $400-500. It’s actually quite a bit more affordable. Also the weight stand is a lot cheaper than a fixed weight dumbbell stand. It’s a good value.

Cons of the Bowflex SelectTech

-A maximum weight of 52.5 pounds can be limiting for some people. You can buy a larger set that goes up to 90lbs. It’s more expensive though, at around $700-800.

-A common complaint about this product is that the weight plates that are not being used sometimes stick to the dumbbell. When you pull it out from the base, a weight plate that is not being used, might come flying out. This can really damage floors, or feet! This actually happened the first time I tried them. The best solution to this problem is to give them a little shake before lifting them out. This hasn’t happened since my clients (who have the dumbbells) figured out the shaking trick.

-They seem a little fragile. The Bowflex SelectTech even comes with a warning to not drop them. I don’t think many people throw weights around in their home anyway (yet at the gym there is this strange weight throwing phenomenon) but it still makes me a little nervous that they can break if they fall off a bench accidentally.

-The most concerning factor about this product is, what if they DO happen to break? Even one. The whole set is ruined. Bowflex offers a 5 year warranty. Personally, I don’t think that’s long enough! Imagine losing 15 sets of dumbbells all at once. It would be devastating!

Bottom Line

The Bowflex SelectTech is fun to use and it looks really REALLY cool! I think it’s a great product to buy. Especially if you are trying to save space. The only thing that would actually stop me from buying these are the risk that they are not durable enough to last years and years. At least with free weights you know they are practically indestructible.

The cons listed have solutions, like buying the heavier set and basically being a little more cautious with them then a normal weight set. These are things that are not a terrible inconvenience. It just takes a little bit more consideration.

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Are you considering a set of Bowflex Selecttech 552 dumbbells? If you’ve seen those fancy infomercials you’re probably wondering whether they really work. As someone who’s always had pipe cleaners for arms, I was intrigued enough to buy them. Since I had a 6-week money back guarantee if I wasn’t 100% satisfied, I felt it was worth a shot!

So, if your looking for reviews on the Bowflex Selecttech 552s, look no further. I’ve laid out all the facts and my own opinion of these innovative and compact dumbbells.

How Are They Different? The hype behind the Bowflex Selecttech dumbbells is that you can adjust the weight with a twist of a dial. Gone are the days of switching plates or having to own 15 pairs of dumbbells. The weights adjust from 5 to 52.5 lbs per dumbbell with a twist of a dial.

How Do They Work? Alls you do is turn a dial on the dumbbells to the weight you desire until you hear a clicking sound. Yeah, it’s not exactly rocket science. Once your plates are locked, just lift the dumbbells from the base, and boom, your ready to start pumping!

Asymmetrical Weight For Better Results. Regular dumbbells are thought of as symmetrical. Well, these puppies aren’t exactly regular! With the Selecttech 552s, you can adjust one side of the dumbbell heavier than the other. This allows you to train your biceps in different ways than you could with symmetrical dumbbells.

My First Workout. My Selecttechs arrived from Bowflex within 2 weeks as promised. I’ve heard some reports about them being poorly constructed and the weights becoming loose. Well, if that were the case then Bowflex has corrected the issue because I found no signs of poor craftsmanship or instability.My first workout went better than expected. Switching weights was so fast and easy! Its great not having to waste time and diminishing the intensity of your workout by having to load on/off plates. After my first work out I knew I was hooked!

With the Selecctech 552s, I can perform exercise variations not possible with traditional free weights.

What I like About the Bowflex Selecttech 552s (benefits):

• Super easy to change your desired weight.

• Unrestrictive dumbbell handles allow you to perform all the exercises you can with regular dumbbells.

• You can stimulate new muscle growth and etch greater detail with offset weight selection.

• Takes up little space. Packs the equivalent of 15 sets of dumbbells.

• Very cool looking dumbbells.

Could Use Some Improvement:

• A little pricey.

• 52.5 lbs per dumbbell may not be enough for bodybuilders

So, Are They Worth It?

I’ve been using my Bowflex Selecttech 552s for about 4 months now and haven’t looked back! The speed and versatility of these compact yet powerful dumbbells has made my workouts more productive and efficient. Not only that, my arms no longer look like pipe cleaners. I’ve added about an inch of overall mass and can a nice horseshoe developing along my triceps. If your looking for a great set of dumbbells that will challenge you with plenty of weight and not occupy youe whole living room with plates, then definitely check out the Bowflex Selecttech 552s!

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If there’s one complaint that free weight enthusiasts have it’s that it takes too much time adding and removing plates and using the fastening pins in between sets. Most weight lifting enthusiasts appreciate the ease and convenience of weight stacks but want the freedom of free weights. Both of these elements are combined into one with the Bowflex SelectTech, a revolutionary style of free weight technology that is guaranteed to change the way you work out.

For those who have never heard of it, the Bowflex SelectTech system is a stack of free weights that uses a dial on the rod in order to select your weight preference. You simply place the rod in the center of the weight stack, which sits on its side rather than upright like other free weights, and dial up the weight you want to lift. You then pick up your rod and presto – you have your weight selection. With the Bowflex Select Tech system of free weights there is no need to pick up any plates or use any pins to get them on and off the rod. The advantages of this system are endless, both in terms of safety and performance.

For one thing, even the most experienced weightlifter knows the danger of using plates. Many have experienced crushed or bruised toes because of dropping them, or have at least experienced a close call or two. This is something especially important for those who are new to lifting, as they are less experienced with handling them. With the Bowflex SelectTech system of free weight, you never need to pick up an individual plate for any reason, either to add or remove it from your lifting rod.

The Bowflex Select Tech system of free weights is also advantageous even to the most experienced weightlifter, since there is no time wasted adding or removing plates. This is especially important for those who want to shift only a few pounds in between sets, for instance, subtracting five pounds between presses and curls can be a huge inconvenience when you need to undo the pin, slide off the weight, put the pin back on, and so forth.

In the past, weight lifters needed to have multiple sets of free weights when working on an aerobic weight routine. The time needed to changed between weights between sets was just to great when you were trying to keep your heart rate up. With the Bowflex SelectTech system you simply put your rod back in the middle of the weight stack, turn the dial, and you’re back to your workout in only a few seconds.

The Bowflex Select Tech system comes in three different varieties for whatever your fitness levels, so if you’ve ever thought that free weights were too heavy for you it’s time to think again. The lightest set starts with only 2.5 pounds and goes up to twenty pounds, perfect for someone looking to tone up or that is just starting out with resistance training. And the Bowflex SelectTech system is so affordable you can get a set for everyone in the home so there’s no waiting around for someone else to finish their routine!

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For anyone out there considering purchasing this equipment but not sure it’s the right fit, this short critique should give you a good, honest insight on the pros and cons of Bowflex’s SelectTech Dumbbells.

Note: this is my personal opinion on this product, I am not, nor have I ever been paid by Bowflex (let them know I wouldn’t mind it though). I am just an average guy trying to stay in shape – probably just like you. I hope you’ll find this article helpful.

Pros:

• Transition between one weight and another is relatively quick and easy (assuming you get the dials to line up right – see Cons)

• The rubberized hand grips conform to the hand well. They’re much more comfortable then many dumbbells I’ve used at the gym

• Metallic stand/holder with rollers is a nice addition that allows you to conveniently store and move the dumbbells. You can even lock the rollers into place so the stand won’t slide on you. It’s an additional cost but well worth the money.

• No assembly required. I took them out of the box and started using them immediately.

• The dumbbells take a little getting used to, but most people will find it to be a short, easy learning curve.

• The dumbbells feel balanced, secure and stable. The weight plates aren’t bouncing around or shifting from side to side, which could be dangerous. If you’ve ever lifted a dumbbell or barbell without firmly securing the weight plates with collars, you’ll know what I am talking about.

• They don’t require a huge amount of space.

• Call me crazy, but I like the clicking sound when you adjust the weights.

Cons:

• The dumbbells can be a little temperamental: if you don’t click the dial exactly into place when adjusting the weight on the dumbbells (so it catches), you can’t remove them off of the block. It’s a good safety feature but it’s annoying when you think you’ve selected 40

• I am not sure how they would have gotten around it, but you have to adjust the same weight on both sides of the dumbbell every time you switch to a new weight. For example, if you are going from a 25 lb to a 40 lb dumbbell, you have to adjust each side of the dumbbell to get 40 lbs – that’s making 2 adjustments per dumbbell, 4 if you’re using both.

• The weights are a little bulky in size compared to professional gym quality dumbbells of the same weight. My fiancé, who is petite refused to use them because they were too bulky and unwieldy.

• The weights aren’t rubberized like some of the professional gym quality dumbbells – this probably would make them a little more durable. Personally I’ve never broken one of these in a couple of years but I take pretty good care of them. I a not entirely certain how durable these are, for several hundred dollars I’d rather not find out.

• Expensive for some budgets.

Bottom Line:

I’d give the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells a green light – I would recommend them. They feel good to use, they look good and they do work well.

Sure they aren’t perfect but if you’re looking to have a complete weight set in the corner of your bedroom rather than filling up the entire garage, this might be a good option for you. The price tag for some might be a little high at a few hundred dollars. I bought mine on an online auction and saved some money. For the few hundred dollars I’ve spent on them, I’ve more than got my money’s worth.

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Now you can change the weight of your dumbbells with just the twist of a dial. If you’ve seen the infomercial for Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells, you may be wondering how they work. All you have to do, is turn the dial on the end of the dumbbell to the weight that you want to use, and when you lift the dumbbell out of the cradle, it will weigh exactly that amount. The key is in a patented locking mechanism that lets the dumbbell base find and pick up the weight plates that add up to the weight that you want, and lock them into place on the handle. That way, when you lift, only those plates lift out of the base.

The SelectTech adjustable dumbbells come in two different versions, each one packing the equivalent of 30 individual dumbbells into a single pair. Each SelectTech 552 dumbbell adjusts to fifteen different weight settings from five pounds to 52.5 pounds. The SelectTech 220 Adjustable dumbbells adjust from 2 pounds to 20 pounds. They also let you do something that’s tough to do with most adjustable sets and impossible with fixed dumbbells – vary the weight on either side of the dumbbell. And they make changing the weight on your dumbbells as easy and quick as turning a dial.

All right. Now you can say it – how do they DO that?

How Conventional Dumbbells Work

Dumbbells are designed to be gripped and lifted with one hand, adding weight and resistance to your exercises. You can use just one to work out one side of your body (in bicep curls, for instance) or one in each hand to get a bilateral workout. Add a pair of dumbbells to standing lunges and you increase the weight-bearing for your lower body as well as adding a nice upper body workout to the mix.

In order to get the most benefit out of dumbbells, you need different weights – for different exercises and to increase weight as your muscles build. One way is to have a set of dumbbells in each weight that you want to use. That works fine – until your collection starts to outgrow your home gym. Adjustable dumbbells are a solution to that problem. Instead of adding a complete set of dumbbells in every weight increment you need, you’ve got a pair of bars and sets of weights in different weight increments.

Adjustable dumbbells used to look a whole lot like the baby cousins of barbells. Conventional adjustable dumbbells consist of a short bar, a pair of weights and a safety collar. If you want to change the weight, you unscrew the lock on the collar, slide the collar off the bar, slide the weight off the bar, slide the new weight onto the bar, replace the collar and screw it down to lock it. Then you repeat the whole process on the other end.

SelectTech Dumbbells Dial-a-Weight Technology Makes It Easy

Bowflex SelectTech adjustable dumbbells are a whole new breed of adjustable. Each dumbbell consists of a handle, a base and ten interlocking slotted weight disks. When the handle is in place in the base, the dumbbell looks just like a miniature barbell with a full set of weights on the bar.

At either end of the handle, you’ll find a dial knob marked with numbers from 5 to 52.5. To select a weight all you do is turn the dial knob until it clicks into place at the weight you want, then lift the handle. The patented locking mechanism selects the right weight disks to equal your chosen weight so that only those disks come up with the handle. The remaining disks remain locked in the base. That really is all there is to it – turn the dial on each end to the weight you want and lift the dumbbell out of its base.

Changing the weight is just that easy, too. Just lower the dumbbell into its base, turn the dials on both sides of the dumbbell to your new weight, then lift. That’s it.

How SelectTech Works

The ten weight plates each have a slot into which the handle fits. When the disks are all in place, the handle can be set into the base, settling into the slots. As long as the weight dials are set to 5 – the weight of the handle by itself – the handle will lift freely from the slots without picking up any weights.

Suppose you want to work out with a 7.5 pound dumbbell. You simply turn the handle dial to 7.5 until you feel the click. The locking mechanism in the handle will close and lock over the outermost weight plate (1.25 pounds), locking it onto the handle. Do the same on the other end, and the lock closes over the 1.25 pound weight plate on that end. Lift the handle straight up from the base and the two locked weight plates lift with it – leaving the rest behind in the base.

Want 20 pounds? Since the handle weighs five pounds, you need fifteen pounds in weights. Divided evenly that’s one five pound and one 2.5 pound weight on each end – but you don’t have to figure all that out. Just turn the dial selector on either end to twenty, and the patented lock does the math for you. When you lift the handle out of the base, the right weight plates to add up to twenty will be locked into place.

Bowflex Patented SelectTech System is Safer Than Conventional Dumbbells

The patented locking system is designed for safety as well as convenience. The weight disks are permanently locked in place like a Chinese puzzle. In order to lift the handle out of the base, the weight selector dials must be properly set. If the dial isn’t clicked into place, the base won’t release the handle, so there’s no chance of a weight disk slipping off the bar because it’s not properly locked. If the lock isn’t completely engaged, you can’t pick up the dumbbell.

Once you’ve lifted the dumbbell from the base, the dial can’t be turned, so there’s no chance of them coming unlocked and falling off the bar. The locking mechanism also holds the disks firmly in place. There’s no wobbling from weights that aren’t properly tightened down – you get the same balance you’d get from a single, molded dumbbell.

SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells for Offset Weight Training

Generally, you’ll want the weight on both ends of the dumbbell to be equal, but the SelectTech also allows you to choose different weights for either end of the bar. By allowing you to use unequal weights on either end, the SelectTech system increases your workout and training options. Offset training can help you strengthen forearm and wrist muscles, something that conventional dumbbells aren’t designed to do. It’s a great way to get some extra power into your tennis swing and increase the flexibility, strength and range of motion in your wrists. The owner’s manual even includes a handy reference chart to tell you which weight to select at either end for various weight combinations.

Space-saving Stand Holds SelectTech Dumbbells At Just the Right Height

Bowflex also makes a specially designed stand for the SelectTech. The stand is ergonomically designed to hold the weights at the right height and position for safe lifting. The space-saving design encourages proper positioning of your body and grip to help you avoid strain or injury when picking up the SelectTech dumbbells. It’s the perfect storage option between workouts.

The experts all agree that working out with dumbbells is an excellent addition to your strength training routines. Dumbbells help you develop balance and precision, and make it possible to work on areas that are neglected in bilateral training with barbells or weight machines. Bowflex SelectTech adjustable dumbbells are the perfect way to add a full range of dumbbell weights to your workout in just one small, power-packed piece of equipment.

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The Nautilus Bowflex SelectTech adjustable dumbbells are probably the best “dial dumbbells” today. The basic set comes with a base unit to hold the weight plates and the “core” of the adjustable dumbbell, but there is a separate dumbbell rack available. These quick change dumbbells from Bowflex come with a 2 year warranty on parts, 5 years weight plates and 1 year warranty for labor.

Description

Just shy of 16 inches in length, these dumbbells are pretty long. Unlike the PowerBlocks or Ironmaster, the length of the dumbbells remains the same regardless of the weight you select. This can be awkward and might take some time to get used to since the dumbbell is very long, even at 5 lbs.

The weight on the Bowflex dumbbells can adjust from 5lbs to 52.5lbs. Because of the maximum weight of only 52.5 lbs, you might be better off with the PowerBlock Elite Set or the Ironmaster adjustable dumbbell set if you plan on building huge muscles and getting super strong (the maximum weight on those dumbbells is about 120-130lbs).

How it Works

Basically, you turn a dial on the SelectTech Dumbbells to the weight that you want until you hear a clicking sound, and you’re set. Once the weight plates are locked in, simply lift the dumbbells from the base and you’re good to go. You’ll need to dial the knob on both ends of the dumbbell to alter the weight, however.

For example, if you wanted to us 30 lbs for each dumbbell, what you do is adjust the knobs on each dumbbell so that “30 lbs” is selected. In total, you’ll need to adjust the knobs 4 times. The weight change process is pretty fast (only a few seconds), so it’s not that tedious.

There are 15 weight settings for this dumbbell, ranging from 5-52.5lbs.

The “Off Set Weight Selection”

Now here’s where you’ll need to do some math.

But before we get into that, tradition dumbbells are symmetrical. Meaning, the weight is balanced with equal weight on both sides of the dumbbell.

With the Bowflex adjustable dumbbell, you can set one side of the dumbbell heavier than the other.

Now back to the Bowflex dumbbells, let’s say you wanted to use 25lbs with one side heavier than the other. Simply adjust the knob to 30 lbs on one side of the dumbbell, and on the other side to 20 lbs.

The total weight is 25 lbs, BUT, one half of the dumbbell is 15 lbs, and the other half is 10 lbs.

But note that after you’re done your set, you’ll have to return the adjustable dumbbell back to the base in the same position that you removed it (the weight plates have to settle back into slots of the base).

The offset weight option might be good or bad for you, depending on how you view it. Personally, I prefer symmetrical weight on both ends of the dumbbell, but there are advantages to unsymmetrical dumbbells. If you’re doing exercises like a dumbbell curl with a dumbbell one side heavier than the other, you’ll work your bicep in a different way than symmetrical dumbbells.

You’ll get variety with the adjustable Bowflex dumbbells that tradition dumbbells can’t provide.

Summary

Although the Bowflex adjustable dumbbell is good, there are some down points as well. Here’s a summary of the Pros and Cons of these dumbbells:

Pros

• Easy and quick to change to your desired weight

• Unrestrictive dumbbell handle-allows you to perform all the exercise you can do with regular dumbbells

• You can add a new dimension to your workouts with the offset weight selection feature

• Does not take up much space (replaces 30 dumbbells)

• VERY slick looking dumbbell weight sets

Cons

• A little pricey for these dumbbells

• For all you bodybuilders and serious weight lifters, the maximum weight of 52.5 lbs for each dumbbell is probably considered a warm-up weight for you.

• You can’t upgrade the weight of the dumbbells

Overall, these dumbbells are great if you’re not a bodybuilder or a serious weight lifter, but if you want free weights and if you don’t mind the price, the Nautilus Bowflex 552 SelectTech dumbbells are a good buy. If you know that 52.5 lbs is too much for you to handle, then the Bowflex SelectTech 220 model (which adjusts up to 20lbs at 2.5 lb increments) may be more suitable for your needs.

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